Summers in Erie are always jam packed with beach trips, ice cream runs, outdoor concerts and the occasional trip to Waldameer. All the fun ends after Labor Day, though, when the seasonal summer fun closes their windows and prepares for another harsh Erie winter. When summer is over, what is there left to do?

 

Behrend students usually do not arrive until Erie's summer fun is winding down. Luckily, Erie is central to many fun spots in the surrounding cities. A few hours in the car can be the difference between a boring weekend and a fun weekend.

 

Two hours south of Erie, Pittsburgh, PA has a lot to offer. Home to several colleges, Pittsburgh is a bustling city with tons of attractions. Museums such as the Carnegie Museum of Art, Natural History and Science are all must-see stops. If museums do not sound interesting and thrill seeking does, go on over to Kennywood to enjoy 30 coasters and a water park. Even taking the time to explore Pittsburgh in its entirety and walking through the different college campuses could be enough for one day and relatively inexpensive.

 

If Pittsburgh doesn't seem to have enough to do, Buffalo NY might be the next place to stop. Not only does Buffalo have its own enticing attractions, such as the Buffalo zoo, art museums, botanical gardens and parks, but it's also only a 20 minute drive to Niagara Falls. Taking a ride on the Maid of the Mist is a must-do for a trip to the Falls. The Maid is the only boat to successfully travel the Niagara Gorge, showing millions of people the wonders of the waterfall each year since 1846.

 

The Falls can also be enjoyed from the Canadian side. Ontario, Canada is home to many attractions, including the Toronto Zoo, an amusement park called Canada's Wonderland, an aquarium, a marine land and many museums and parks.

 

It only has to take a few hours in the car to be able to get out and enjoy the sights and attractions that surround Erie. Having a getaway doesn't need to be expensive or time consuming. Being a college students mean that both time and money are in limited supply, but a two hour drive on a Saturday morning is worth it to see and experience new things that larger cities have to offer.